Aseema Charitable Trust started its mission in 1997 when they established a small evening centre in a high school in Mumbai, which evolved into a large-scale movement —helping thousands of disadvantaged children. Aseema means limitless and without boundaries. With this vision, Dilbur Parakh along with two like-minded friends, Snehal Paranjape and Neela Kapadia established the trust. The organisation has dedicated itself to realizing human potential with value-based education and grassroot interventions.
INSPIRATION ROOTED IN COMPASSION
While working with the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, Dilbur often felt their work stayed at the surface. She wanted to bridge the gap between beautifully written conventions and the reality of people on the ground, especially after having personally experienced economic hardship herself. This led her on a mission to unite policy frameworks with actual community needs. Today, Aseema works in partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to manage three schools, operates the Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra (ABSK) in Igatpuri, and supports 12 MCGM balwadis — carrying forward a vision that began with modest beginnings.
TRANSLATING VISION INTO ACTION
Aseema translates its vision of realizing human potential through quality education into actionable strategies by anchoring its work on three pillars: building a nurturing environment, adopting excellent teaching-learning methodologies, and fostering community partnerships.
Recognizing that children need more than academics, the organisation established a Community Work Centre with social workers and counsellors, a nutrition program, and an alumni team that supports higher education and careers. In 2024–25 alone, Aseema served over 6 lakh meals, conducted more than 150 teacher workshops, and supported 1,100 alumni. A defining element of its philosophy is the bond between teacher and child, which is why Aseema invests deeply in teacher training, ensuring compassion and mutual respect shape classroom practice.
BALANCING INNOVATION WITH GROUND REALITIES
Aseema balances innovation with practicality by staying rooted in its core mission while adapting to changing needs. The organisation draws inspiration from the Montessori approach, originally designed for disadvantaged children but now largely confined to elite schools. Believing this method to be especially effective for underprivileged communities, Aseema has integrated it into all its pre-primary centres, aligning naturally with the principles of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes holistic development, multidisciplinary learning, and vocational training.
Innovation has never been about adopting trends for Aseema—it has been about staying true to children’s needs while being practical. During COVID-19, the team faced the daunting task of providing smartphones and training teachers unfamiliar with technology, but what began as a challenge became a turning point. Today, Aseema schools are equipped with computer labs and overhead projectors. At the same time, the organisation continues to address pressing realities like malnutrition and inadequate infrastructure, ensuring that progress remains both practical and sustainable while never losing sight of the child at the centre.
MILESTONES ALONG THE WAY
Aseema has experienced numerous transformative events throughout its history
- In 2002, Aseema children’s artwork was selected by Tina Ambani for the Harmony Show at the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, where it was displayed for seven consecutive years.
- In 2008, MCGM chose Aseema to expand its successful model across additional schools.
- Film director Danny Boyle admitted young actors from Slumdog Millionaire to Aseema’s Pali Chimbai Municipal School.
- Aseema’s animated film Raju & I received a National Award from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
- Over the past 10 years, Aseema celebrated a 98.3% SSC pass rate, marking the first graduation milestone for many families.
- Alumni have earned scholarships to prestigious programs, including climate change workshops at Oxford, a United World College in China, and India’s Azim Premji and Krea Universities.
UNIQUE APPROACH TO EDUCATION
The Aseema education approach blends the Montessori method with the education philosophy followed at the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education and Atmananda Memorial School. At its heart is the bond between teacher and child, built on respect and giving children a voice, especially underprivileged ones who are often unheard. The focus is on developing creativity, critical thinking abilities and self-expression in students. Inspired by a Scottish model, the Room 13 initiative at Aseema schools’ sparks creativity and builds emotional resilience in children. Through the Aseema Foundation, their artwork is transformed into products, generating support for the Trust’s education programme.
Beyond art, students engage in sports, vocational training, and alumni mentoring—preparing them not just academically, but socially and economically. Today, 80% of Aseema alumni go onto higher education or skill development, turning their early learning into lasting opportunity.
EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
At Aseema, technology and sustainability go hand in hand to empower children and their communities. Through wellequipped IT labs and digital learning support, underprivileged students gain access to modern skills, while teachers receive training to integrate technology into their classrooms effectively.
Sustainability lies at the heart of Aseema’s work. Aseema’s school for tribal children in Igatpuri, Aseema Bal Shaikshanik Kendra, not only provides quality education but also supports the local community—creating employment for families and encouraging girls to pursue higher education in Nashik. Eco-friendly practices such as rainwater harvesting, composting, and farming allow the school to aim for sourcing 40% of its food from its own produce.
In addition, women from nearby tribal communities are trained to craft traditional handicrafts, preserving cultural heritage while gaining economic independence. Through this integrated approach, Aseema empowers students and strengthens the wider community, demonstrating how education, technology, and sustainability can advance together.
LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY
Aseema’s responsiveness emerged from the simple but essential act of listening. The nutrition programme started when they noticed that the children looked unwell and a doctor recommended dietary changes. The organisation established counselling programmes because it understood how children from abusive homes needed emotional support. They also provided 10 rounds of food provisions to 10,000 people during COVID-19, and post-pandemic, addressed rising emotional health issues through counselling for 2,000+ students in a year.
Parents’ concerns about transport inspired bus services for 200 children in Bandra and 500 in Igatpuri. The organisation develops its growth through continuous student and parent and teacher feedback which stems from their community based needs.
NURTURING INNOVATION AND ADAPTABILITY
The school promotes openness and collaboration through regular sectional heads meetings, teacher and student suggestion boxes, across schools. The practice of open dialogue and complete transparency enables students of all ages to share their thoughts. Aseema believes that true innovation lies in balance — maintaining computer labs and digital tools alongside vibrant libraries, while continuing to nurture foundational skills such as handwriting, reading, and courtesy as part of a value based education.
STAYING INSPIRED
The work demands much but Dilbur finds inspiration through self-reflection and prayer and most importantly through her connection with the community. In Igatpuri, Aseema fought a 15-year court battle against a garbage dump near its school and water sources, winning in the Bombay High Court but continuing to persevere as the case moves to the Supreme Court. Challenges like these affirm resilience. At Aseema, perseverance is summed up in the phrase: “keep on… keeping on.” The chairperson emphasises maintaining a balanced, focused team while staying closely connected to the community. She draws inspiration from working on the ground, witnessing the daily transformations in children and families—moments that reflect the impact of Aseema’s service-driven work.
THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
Aseema plans to expand its teacher training programme which will provide Indian educators with methods to implement activity-based and interdisciplinary learning along with technology integration, socialemotional development, and strong school administration They strive to inspire schools to embrace value-based learning, where empathy, respect, and compassion are given as much importance as academic achievement— something often missing in many private and international schools.
Through their How-to Live program, Aseema teaches children about love, respect, compassion, perseverance and humility, ensuring they grow into good human beings first and foremost. For Dilbur, this is the future of education, one where academics and values go hand in hand, and where humans remain at the centre of it all. The future of education must be holistic, nurturing knowledgeable individuals as well as good human beings.
WORDS OF ADVICE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON
The advice for future changemakers is to work sincerely, know your subject, stay humble, and extend compassion beyond self and nation to the whole world. True leadership exists to serve others.
And as Lao Tzu wrote, words that resonate deeply with Aseema’s journey:
Go to the people,
Live with them,
Learn from them,
Love them.
Start with what they know,
Build with what they have.
But with the best leaders,
When the work is done,
The task is accomplished,
The people will say, “We have done it ourselves.”
For readers interested in exploring Aseema’s journey in depth, the book Aseema: A Journey Beyond Boundaries by Dilbur Parakh offers a compelling look at their impact and evolution.
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